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Introduction to State of Illinois v. Sympson, Sympson v. JS, and State of Illinois v. JS for Perjury Praecipe, 27 March 1844–A [Sympson v. JS] Praecipe, 27 March 1844–B [Sympson v. JS] Declaration, circa 27 March 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Summons, 28 March 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Subpoena, 28 March 1844–A [Sympson v. JS] Subpoena, 28 March 1844–B [Sympson v. JS] Plea, circa 21 May 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Docket Entry, Plea, 22 May 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Affidavit, 22 May 1844–A [Sympson v. JS] Affidavit, 22 May 1844–B [Sympson v. JS] Docket Entry, Motion and Change of Venue, 23 May 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Affidavit, 23 May 1844–A [Sympson v. JS] Affidavit, 23 May 1844–B [Sympson v. JS] Affidavit, 24 May 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Bill of Costs, 10 August 1844–A [Sympson v. JS] Bill of Costs, 10 August 1844–B [Sympson v. JS] Transcript of Proceedings, 10 August 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Docket Entry, Abatement, 27 August 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Docket Entry, circa 27 August 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Docket Entry, Abatement, circa August 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Case File Wrapper, circa October 1844 [Sympson v. JS] Docket Entry, Fee Bill, between 16 August and circa 14 November 1844 [Sympson v. JS]

Subpoena, 28 March 1844–A [Sympson v. JS]

Source Note

David E. Head

27 Apr. 1818–1 May 1877. Clerk, merchant. Born in Washington Co., Kentucky. Moved to Macomb, McDonough Co., Illinois, ca. 1834. Deputy clerk of McDonough Co. Deputy clerk of Hancock Co., Illinois, circuit court, by 16 May 1843. Clerk of Hancock Co. Circuit...

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on behalf of
Jacob B. Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

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, Subpoena, to
Hancock Co.

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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Sheriff [
William Backenstos

29 Aug. 1813–11 July 1875. Sheriff, merchant, painter. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Baptized into Lutheran Reformed Church, 31 Oct. 1813, in Lower Paxton. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, by...

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], for
Aaron Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

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,
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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, Hancock Co., IL, 28 Mar. 1844, Sympson v. JS (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1844); handwriting of
David E. Head

27 Apr. 1818–1 May 1877. Clerk, merchant. Born in Washington Co., Kentucky. Moved to Macomb, McDonough Co., Illinois, ca. 1834. Deputy clerk of McDonough Co. Deputy clerk of Hancock Co., Illinois, circuit court, by 16 May 1843. Clerk of Hancock Co. Circuit...

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; docket by
David E. Head

27 Apr. 1818–1 May 1877. Clerk, merchant. Born in Washington Co., Kentucky. Moved to Macomb, McDonough Co., Illinois, ca. 1834. Deputy clerk of McDonough Co. Deputy clerk of Hancock Co., Illinois, circuit court, by 16 May 1843. Clerk of Hancock Co. Circuit...

View Full Bio
, [
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 28 Mar. 1844]; notations by
William Backenstos

29 Aug. 1813–11 July 1875. Sheriff, merchant, painter. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Baptized into Lutheran Reformed Church, 31 Oct. 1813, in Lower Paxton. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, by...

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,
Hancock Co.

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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, IL, 22 Apr. 1844; notation by
David E. Head

27 Apr. 1818–1 May 1877. Clerk, merchant. Born in Washington Co., Kentucky. Moved to Macomb, McDonough Co., Illinois, ca. 1834. Deputy clerk of McDonough Co. Deputy clerk of Hancock Co., Illinois, circuit court, by 16 May 1843. Clerk of Hancock Co. Circuit...

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, [
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL], 6 May 1844; notation by James M. Campbell, [
Macomb

Incorporated as city, 1841. McDonough Co. seat. JS’s brother Don Carlos Smith lived nearby Macomb, 1839. Branch of church organized in city, June 1839.

More Info
, McDonough Co., IL], 12 Aug. 1844; two pages; McDonough County Circuit Court Files, Illinois Regional Archives Depository vault, Archives and Special Collections, Leslie F. Malpass Library, Western Illinois University, Macomb. Includes seal.

Historical Introduction

See Introduction to State of Illinois v. Sympson, Sympson v. JS, and State of Illinois v. JS for Perjury.

Page [1]

State of Illinois) Sc[ilice]t
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
)
The People of the State of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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To the
Sheriff

29 Aug. 1813–11 July 1875. Sheriff, merchant, painter. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Baptized into Lutheran Reformed Church, 31 Oct. 1813, in Lower Paxton. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, by...

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of said
County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
Greeting
We command you to Summon
Aaron Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

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if to be found in your
county

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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personally to be and appear before the circuit court of said
County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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at the Court House in
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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on the Twenty second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four and to bring with him, and produce in Court the following papers, documents, & Books to wit: The affidavit, made by Joseph Smith, on or about the 17th January, last past wherein, the
Alexander Sympson

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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, was charged with having committed a Felony in attempting to rob & murder one
Richard Bad[h]am

25 Nov. 1793–after 9 May 1846. Farmer. Born in Herefordshire, England. Son of Abraham Badham. Married Hannah Nott, 3 June 1822, in Bosbury, Herefordshire. Emigrated with his wife and daughter from Liverpool, Lancashire, England, 8 Nov. 1841; arrived in New...

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, on or about the 10th day of December A D 1843, also the warrant issued by him on or about the 17th day of January A D 1844, for the arrest of said
Sympson

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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, to answer for the said charge of Felony. Also his Justices Docket, wherein the examination of said
Sympson

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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is recorded, with all and every paper or papers, Documents, Books & Records of every kind in any wise relating to or concerning said examination of said
Sympson

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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, for said charge of Felony had before him wherein the People of the State of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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were Plaintiffs & said
Sympson

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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defendant. And to testify and the truth to speak in relation to a certain matter now in controversy now depending in the said court, between
Alexander Sympson

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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Plaintiff, and Joseph Smith defendant, at the instance of the said
Plaintiff

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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laying aside all pretences & excuses whatsoever under the penalty of what the law directs, And make due return of this writ, and the manner in which you execute the same.
[seal]
Witness
J[acob] B Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

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clerk of our said circuit Court at
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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this Twenty Eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty four
J B Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

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clerk By
D[avid] E, Head

27 Apr. 1818–1 May 1877. Clerk, merchant. Born in Washington Co., Kentucky. Moved to Macomb, McDonough Co., Illinois, ca. 1834. Deputy clerk of McDonough Co. Deputy clerk of Hancock Co., Illinois, circuit court, by 16 May 1843. Clerk of Hancock Co. Circuit...

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Deputy [p. [1]]
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Source Note

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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Subpoena, 28 March 1844–A [Sympson v. JS]
ID #
5469
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • David E. Head

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